Former Alberta Party leader Greg Clark not running for leadership

Former Alberta Party leader Greg Clark won’t run for the party’s top job again.

The MLA for Calgary-Elbow resigned the leadership last month to launch a leadership race aimed at drumming up interest in the Alberta Party.

Clark had said he might enter the contest but announced Thursday he would not run in order to be able to spend more time with his family.

In a statement, he said a phone conversation with his daughter convinced him not to get into the race.

“She called me when I was on my way up to Edmonton and said she had talked with her sister,” said Clark.

“They don’t mind me being an MLA, but they thought that being leader would keep me away from home all year round, instead of just when the legislature was sitting.”

Clark’s decision removes one of the top contenders for the Alberta Party leadership. No other candidates have yet thrown their hats in the ring for the election, which will see party members vote next February, with the winner to be announced Feb. 27.

The party has been joined by several prominent former Progressive Conservatives and hopes to capitalize on potential discontent from centrist Tory voters who are unhappy the PC party joined with Wildrose to form the new United Conservative Party.

Clark — who intends to run again in the 2019 provincial election — said he remains confident in the Alberta Party.

“I understand there are several great candidates . . . ready to jump into the race,” he said.

Clark had been the sole Alberta Party MLA but was joined at the start of the fall session by Calgary-Mackay-Nose Hill MLA Karen McPherson, who defected from the NDP.

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